Hinge arrangement

Abstract

There is proposed a hinge arrangement ( 29 ) configured to hingedly interconnect a first component ( 26 ) and a second component ( 27 ). The hinge arrangement ( 29 ) incorporates a first part ( 37 ) of an electrical connector ( 38 ) which is formed as an integral feature of the hinge arrangement ( 29 ), said first part ( 37 ) of the electrical connector ( 38 ) being configured to releasably and electrically engage a second part ( 40 ) of the electrical connector ( 38 ) such that the second part ( 40 ) of the electrical connector is separable from the hinge arrangement ( 29 ). In one embodiment the first and second components ( 26, 27 ) form part of the nose cone assembly ( 24 ) of a gas turbine engine ( 10 )

1 . A hinge arrangement configured to hingedly interconnect a first component and a second component, the hinge arrangement incorporating a first part of an electrical connector which is formed as an integral feature of the hinge arrangement, said first part of the electrical connector being configured to releasably and electrically engage a second part of the electrical connector such that the second part of the electrical connector is separable from the hinge arrangement. 
     
     
         2 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein said first part of the electrical connector is provided in the form of a socket formed as an integral feature of the hinge arrangement, and said second part of the electrical connector is provided as a plug configured for releasable and electrical connection to the socket. 
     
     
         3 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein said socket is configured to receive said plug along an insertion axis which is substantially aligned with a pivot axis of the hinge arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein said socket is configured to receive said plug along an insertion axis which is substantially coincident with a pivot axis of the hinge arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein said first part of the electrical connector is electrically connected to electrical circuitry provided on said first component. 
     
     
         6 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein said first part of the electrical connector is permanently connected to said circuitry on said first component via a cable. 
     
     
         7 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein said circuitry on the first component includes at least one heating element. 
     
     
         8 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein said second part of the electrical connector is electrically connected to circuitry which is separate from said first component. 
     
     
         9 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein said second part of the electrical connector is permanently connected to said circuitry which is separate from the first component via a cable. 
     
     
         10 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein at least said cable connecting said second part of the electrical connector to said circuitry separate from the first component is a ribbon cable. 
     
     
         11 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein said electrical circuitry separate from the first component includes a power supply. 
     
     
         12 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 1  having at least two pivot axes. 
     
     
         13 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein said pivot axes are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         14 . A hinge arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second components both form part of a nose cone assembly for a gas turbine engine. 
     
     
         15 . A gas turbine engine incorporating a hinge arrangement according to  claim 14 .